A brief history of quality assurance and peer review.

Abstract

A brief, historical overview of quality assurance is presented, and the following seven major innovations are noted: (a) the establishment of professional schools directly linking training with practice, (b) credentialing, (c) the setting of minimum standards for facilities and faculty in training institutions, (d) assessment of outcome, (e) personal supervision, (f) peer review, and (g) continuing education as a requirement for maintaining licensure. Peer review at present seems most favored and looks most promising. Credentialing and continuing education recently have been subject to considerable criticism. Several national peer review programs presently are in effect and functioning, but it is too early to assess their success.

Role of supervision in assuring quality mental health services in university counseling centers.

“…Licensing may serve to enhance quality assurance by controlling and clarifying the process of rendering mental health service (Slovenko, 1978). The relative nonuse of supervision and licensing procedures in the current clinical practice of counseling centers is in contrast to the value placed on supervision by the profession as a quality control procedure (Armond, 1981;Kalafat & Neigher, 1983;Young, 1982).…”

“…To date, methods for assuring quality of service (e.g., professional service review organizations, licensing, ethical standards adopted by the American Psychological Association, standards for providers adopted by APA) apparently have proven less than adequate (Claiborn, 1982; Morton, 1982). However, little empirical research has been done to document attempts at quality assurance, and most information is anecdotal (Young, 1982).…”

Remediation Programs for Regulated Health Care Professionals: A Scoping Review

“…4 Regulatory bodies can implement quality improvement programs to identify deficiencies in competence, 6 which can consist of diverse methods including professional development audits, practice site inspections, complaint reviews, and examinations. 4,6–8…”

“…4 Therefore, it is vital to ensure that clinical competence is maintained throughout the life of an HCP. 4 Although only a small percentage of HCPs presents with deficiencies in competence throughout their lifetime, 5,6 professional regulatory bodies are responsible for ensuring that registrants are able to provide ongoing safe and competent care. 3…”

“…14 Self-regulating health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, and physiotherapists are required by law to assess continuing competence in many jurisdictions (eg, Ontario's Regulated Health Professions Act) 15 for protection of the public. 4 Regulatory bodies can implement quality improvement programs to identify deficiencies in competence, 6 which can consist of diverse methods including professional development audits, practice site inspections, complaint reviews, and examinations. 4,6–8…”